Therapeutic table with adjustable section top



v k. G. PALMER Tl-IERAPEUTIC TABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE SECTION TOP Filedkpril 15, 1947 July 25; 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July- ,1 50 PALMER THERAPEUTIC TABILE WITH ADJUSTABLE Ec'rIoN TOP Filed April 1s,'i94'r 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fill/162% gu d/m July 25, 1950 a. PALMER 2 THERAPEUTRT'ABLE WITH AfiJUSTABEE SECTION TOP Fn'gd-A'pri'i 15-, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented July 25, 1950 THERAPEUTIC TABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE SECTION TOP Kenneth G. Palmer, Chicago, 111.

Application April 15, 1947, Serial No. 741,491

6 Claims. (Cl. 311-7) 1 r This invention relates to tables having adjustable elements such as used in hospitals, doctors oflices, and the like, and in particular a hydraulic or pneumatically actuated treating and operating table upon which a. patient may be placed for efiicient examination, treatment, or operation.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a table having adjustable elements adapted for general use by physicians, practitioners, surgeons, osteopaths, chiropractors, naprapaths, naturopathic physicians, masseurs, physiotherapists, and particularly for colonic irrigations, wherein a section of the table'upon which the patient is placed is raised and lowered by fluid-actuated cylinders and the main or stationary part of the table is provided with a plurality of fluid containers with mixing valves associated therewith, and a toilet or overflow bowl.

Various types of adjustable tables and also tables with adjustable elements have been provided for use inhospitals, doctors offices, and the like, but in tables for general use, apatient is positioned uponthe stationary frame or sec tion of the table, and adjustable elements are provided for. the arms, limbs and head. For some uses, however, it is desirable to position the patient on an adjustable section of an operating table with the physician located at a stationary section, wherein various accessories and equipment are provided on said stationary section. With this thought in mind, this invention contemplates a stationary section or frame providing a table with an extended patient-carrying section hinged to one end thereof and provided with compression cylinders for adjusting the elevation thereof, and also compression cylinders for actuating the inner end thereof.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an operating table including a platform which may be bodily raised and lowered to the desired position of inclination with respect to the table frame and which may be bodily shifted inwardly and outwardly of the table frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating table including a platform which is movable by hydraulic means both ver-' tically and horizontally.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view looking downward upon the upper surface of the table with parts broken away. r M Figure-2 is a view showing a side elevation of the table also with parts broken away,

Figure 3 is a view showing an end elevation of the table looking toward the end of the stationary section thereof also with parts broken away.

Figure 4 is a view showing an end elevation of the platform illustrating one of the head rests thereof with parts omitted. i

Figure 5 is a similar view illustrating a head rest of a different design and with the parts of the table omitted.

Figure 6 is a view showing an end elevation of the head rest shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view illustrating the upper leg support.

Figure 8 is a detail showing the paper roll holder.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing one of the links and its connection to the platform and table frame, the full lines in dicating the normal position of the link and platform and before the link has executed its arcu ate movement, and the dotted lines indicating the position of the link and the platform after the link has executed its complete arcuate movement.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Illof Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the main or stationary section [of the table is supported by legs 2 with upper tubular sections 3 at one end and legs 4 at the other, and the legs 2 and 4 are connected by cross-elements 5 with the legs 4 connected by a cross-bar B. The upper section of the table frame is formed with a rectangularly-shaped frame having side members 1 and 8 with the ends connected by transverse members 9 and with the table top formed by a panel Ill. The panel ll) extends continuously over the upper surface of the table and is provided with a circular opening II' in which a conical-shaped bowl I2 is mounted and behind the bowl is an opening I 3. The lower end. of the bowl I2 is connected by a trap M to a drain l5, and the upper end is normally covered by a closure I6 hinged to the panel In by hinges Hand l8. v

A holder l9 for toilet paper and the like is provided in a panel 20 extending vertically upward at one side of the table, and a roll of paper 2| may be provided in the holder. The panel 20 is provided with a shelf 22 that may be used for holding instruments and accessories, and the panel is also provided with a socket 23 through which a flexible tube 24 with a' 'light socket 25 at the outer end, for holding a light bulb 26, may extend.

Light bulbs 2'! may also be provided on the upper edge of a panel 28 at the end of the table, and these may be mounted in reflectors 29.

The panel 28 is provided with tanks 35, 3| and 32 which are positioned in openings in the panel with the surfaces of the tanks showing through the panel formed of transparent material 33, wherein the amount of the material in the tanks may readily be ascertained by the operator from the front of the table. The dis-..

charge connections from the tanks extenddownward and under the table, and the connection from the tank 32 is provided with a two-way valve 34, whereas the connections from the tanks 30 and SI are provided with threeaway valves 35.

The table I is provided with straps 36 at the sides, and 31 at one end, by which patients may be held on the surface thereof, the straps 35 being slidably mountedon rods 38, and the straps 3'l being held .on hook-like elementsBB.

The difierent solutions are supplied to the tanks through a mixing valve 46 which is pro: vided with supply .pipes 4,! and 4 2, and the discharge from the mixing valve is connected to the tanks through pipe 43 with individual branches 44,; 45 and 46. The mixing valve is controlled b a andle a the front o th ane s ne cated by the numeral 48, and the. individual connections to thetanks are provided with valves 50. From the valves 34 and 3,5 the solutions of the tanks are supplied through valves 5| in the opening I 3 of the panel I of the table through p pe 54 and .56. v A hinged cover filmay be provided for covering the valves and closing the opening when the solutions are not used. From thevalves 51- the connections are provided with flexible tubes -58 by .which the solutions may be up ied at an in r ne n ehe xi e nections or tubes 53 may have su-fiicient length to extend to the far end of the table, and may be s d. er lehi ir i at on d.- t e ke- The table s provided wi a ad s ble-plat form 59 having a panel 60 thereon, and the inner e d of hi l ie m s pivetelly c n ec ed to the end of the stationary table I by connecting means or links BI and -62; pivotallycarriedby the-table l. The outer portion of the platform 59- is sup: ported through downwardly extending flanges 63 from diagonally extending tubular supports '64 through fluid-actuated cylinders which provide means for bodily raising and lowering the plat.- form to the desired position of inclination with res ect teh etetiehar i ahie Wat e other fluid s pro d d th ough it hesz iF n th su o ts. mm sup l connect n 6 the. fluid b ng supp ied throu h c nneetiens n &8. lie the c l nde s 1-0., the owe end of w ch. ar pivotally mounted in the members '65 through pi s 1t,..=a-nd the upper ends of connecting rods .2; thereinb ine enn eted to the. "fl nges -53 by p ns .113 thr u yqlsee :1 helmder Surieee of the platform isiprovided with downwardly 8X1 end n lu 15 hie fluid c nder rne i iiehed en t e unde s r ace at t eeetie are connected by connecting rods 11 with the oppoe si e. ends. ef the cyl n ers. eem e te to the en of the'tabl bv hraehe s Th cyl nders 5 vide means ier ea e n i wa d and u ard mov ment of t e la form 5 la i to e ta tien rv t ble t ylihd re. be n conn ted at. we end to a-sunn nin 1- th g h. water or other fluid b up ed. hmi f pressure-w r 1 1 The inner end of the platform 59 is provided with sockets and 8! in which head and leg rests, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, may be held by lugs 82 and 83 extending downwardly from the head rest 84, and 85 and 86 extending downwardly from the leg rest 81. The end of the platform 59 is also provided with sockets 88 and 8B in which heel rests 90 may be held through adjustable arms 91 and 92 as shown in Figure 2. The head and leg rests may be provided with suitable cushioning material, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 4, as may be desired.

The outer end of the platform 59 is also provided with a head rest formed with vertically extending bars 93 and 94 with a horizontally disposed section 95 and with the lower ends of the bars clamped against the side members of the frame of the platform 59 by a rod 96 with a crank 9! on one end The section 95 is covered with suitable upholstery, as indicated by the dotted-lines.

The outer end of the platform 59 is also pro..- .vided with a bracket 98 for supporting a roll of paper 99 with the roll extending across the end of the platform, and with a bar H10 bearing against the paper roll, the bar [00 being carried by the outer ends of pivotally mounted arms H}! which are resiliently held by springs 10;. Paper from the roll may be drawn across the upper surface of the. table to provide a clean surface for the patient. The ends of the bracket 9.8 are provided with small plates 03 to assist in holdingthe paper roll shaft to prevent endwise movement thereof. The sides of the plate -m ma a s ep ovid d w th s raps. 36 and these may be mounted on brackets I54.

The platform 59 is provided with a slot or opening to receive the face of apatient positioned'face downward upon the table, and the upper surface of this section of the table is normally covered with 2=inch padding, as. indi cated by the dotted lines. The upper surface of the table I. is normally Provided with .a 2-inch upholstered mattress 186 th t. is removed when the bowl is in use, The mattress is also indicated in d d lines n Fi ur The table Lll is also provided with a water connection I01 having a valve 10.8 therein which is used for flushing the bowl {2. A connection have ing a valve 09 is-in communication with sup.- ply pipe .66, the connection supplying water under pressure to supply line 65 which in turn supplies water through supply connections 6'! and 68 to the cylinder 1-0 to. actuate the .Gonnecting reds. 2 me eb mou ed in he atte c inders- Actuation of the valve [0 9 to admit water into the cylinder l0 causes the connecting rods to bodily raise and lower the .platiorm 58 to the desired position of inclination with respect to the-stationary frame .I Aconnection 1 H1 having a valve "H0 is communication with the supply line .19, while .a connection H0" can: nected toralve III] is in communication with supply line 9' which is connected to the other ehd'ei t cylin er 1 h val es t e opening 13 are securedto the under surface of the hinged sever plate 51 and s the .eever is opened, the valvesfare drawn upward through theopening l 3 for use.

It l the h heie t at shi n ma be P d. th var us me s a may b @53 and in particular the head rest 84 illustrated e 5 andfi is provid ith e eueh en il with he rlet erih i h a e he the i hleireme 'I in this manner, the platform 59 may readily be bodily raised or lowered to the desired position of inclination relative to the stationary table I by actuation of the connecting rods 12 movably mounted in the cylinders I0, and the platform 59 then moved inward or outward with respect to the table frame I by actuation of the connecting rods 'I'I movably mounted in the cylinders I6, to accommodate the patient in the most comfortable or accommodating manner. The links BI and 62 provide connecting means, and as noted, the inner ends of the links areconnected to the main frame of the table I by pins I I2, and the opposite ends are connected to the frame of the platform 59 by pins H3. Actuation of the valve I II] to admit water into said cylinders I6 so as to move the connecting rods 'I'I toward the stationary table frame I induces arcuate movement in one direction of the links BI and 52, causing inward movement of the platform 59 relative to the table frame I, the dotted line position of Figure 9, while actuation of the valve III] to admit water into the cylinders I6 so as to move the connecting rods 'II away from the table frame I, induces arcuate movement in the opposite direction on the links BI and 62, causing outward movement of the platform .59 relative to the table frame I, the full-line position of Figure 9. The table is provided with means which coact with the connecting means or links 6| and 62 to limit the arcuate movement in both directions of the links, and hence, the inward and outward movement of the platform 59 relative to the frame I, said means, Figures 1, 9 and 10, comprisin lugs II4 extending from the corners of the table frame and stops II extending from the sides of the table frame I. The table is provided with extending lugs I I4 on the corners of the frame and also stops I I5 on the sides, wherein movement of the links BI and 62 will be limited in both directions and with the adjoining end of the platform down, the links will be retained in substantially horizontal position.

With the parts arranged in this manner, the adjustable table of this invention is adapted for universal use, and for rectal or vaginal treatments, the head may now be placed upon the head rest 95 with the legs over the supports 81. In this position the feet may be held with the heels in the brackets 90. For some treatments, the patient may be placed upon the table with the face downward and the body may be held with the straps 36 with the feet secured by the straps 31. For other uses, the leg rests 81 may be removed and replaced by the head rest illustrated in Figure 5, wherein the head is positioned at the end of the table frame for examination and treatment. It will also be understood that the table may be used in combination with other equipment and other accessories or devices may be mounted thereon as may be desired.

I claim:

1. In an operating table, a stationary horizontally-disposed table frame, a horizontally-disposed platform arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame, connecting means extending between the meeting ends of said frame and platform and pivotally connected to each of the latter, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for raising and lowering the latter bodily to the desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, and fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for causing inward and outward movement of the latter relative to said table frame.

2. In an operating'table, a stationary horizontally-disposed table frame, a horizontally-disposed platform arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame, connecting means extending between the meeting ends of said frame and platform and pivotally connected to each of the latter, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for raising and lowering the latter bodily to the desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for causing inward and outward movement of the latter relative to said table frame, and means on said table frame and co-acting with said connecting means for limiting the inward and outward movement of said platform relative to said table frame.

3. In an operating table, a'stationary horizontally-disposed table frame, a horizontallydisposed platform arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame, connecting means embodying links extending between the meeting ends of said frame and platform and pivotally connected to each of the latter, fluid pressure means operatively'connected to said platform for raising and lowering the latter bodily to the desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, fluid pressur means operatively connected to said platform for causing inward and outward movement of the latter relative tosaid table frame, and means embodying lugs extending from the corners and stops extending from the sides of the meeting end of said table frame and co-acting with said links for limiting the inward and outward movement of said platform relative to said table frame.

4. In an operating table, a legged structure, a stationary horizontally-disposed table frame carried by said legged structure, a horizontallydisposed platform arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame, links extending between the meeting ends of said frame and platform and pivotally connected to each of the latter, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for raising and lowering the latter bodily to the desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, said means including a pair of vertically-disposed cylinders positioned under said platform and pivotally connected to said legged structure, a movably mounted connecting rod in each of said cylinders and having an end projecting therefrom, the projecting ends of said connecting rods being pivotally connected to said platform, and fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for causing inward and outward movement of the latter relative to said table frame.

5. In an operating table, a legged structure, a stationary horizontally-disposed table frame carried by said legged structure, a horizontally-disposed platform arranged in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame, links extending between the meeting ends of said frame and platform and pivotally connected to each of the latter, fluid pressure means operatively connected to said platform for raising and lowering the latter bodily to the desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, said means including a pair of vertically-disposed cylinders positioned under said platform and pivotally connected to said legged structure, a movably-mounted connecting rod in each of said cylinders and having an end projecting therefrom, the projecting ends of said connecting rods being pivotally connected 7 torsaidz-p atiermrand fluid ressure m an o er tive connect si e aidin a iorm o caus -inwarsi a d o tward mo emen of the 'v at ative to sa tabl ram said last-named fluidp essii mea s c mp i n -a pa of horiz ta lyidisposed yl ers arran ed b ow an sp d vfromsaid platform andpivotally connected to said table frame, a movabl y-mounted connecting ircd'in each f idil st-nam ylin ers an havin nsend r je ti h refr m, the pr ject n :end if each tcfvrthe -1 .s n m .d c nnec ing rods bein n v aliy onnectedsto said table frame.

16. In anoperatingtable, a le ged-structure, a wStationaryhorizcntally-disposed table frame car- ;riedby saidlleggedwstructure, a horizontally-disposed platform arranged .in end-to-end relation with respect to said table frame,vlinks-extending between the-meeting ends of said frame and platform. and pivotally connected to each of thelatter, fluid :Dress1ire means operatively connected to 584d platform 'for raising and lowering the latter bodily :to-th desired position of inclination with respect to said frame, said means includinga pair of=vertical1y-di sposed cylinders positioned under said pla form andpivn allyconnected-t said le ed-st uc uraa mommy-mounted connecting r d .in each of saidcylinders and having an end .pro-

jecting therefrom, the projecting ends .of said connectingerods being pivotallyconnected to-said platform, fluid pressure means ioperatively conn sted-to said .nlatfcrm for causin inward and outward m veme t :of the lat er ela ive to said table fr m :said las -n med ifluid pressure means-comprising alpainofhorizontally-disposed cylinders arranged below and spaced from said platform and pivotally connected .to said table frame, a movablyemounted connecting rod in each-of said last-named cylindersvand having an end projecting therefrom, the projecting end of each of the lastmamed connecting rods being pivotally connected to .said table frame, and

means embodyingflugs extending from the corners :and stopsextending from the sides of. the meeting endof saidtable frameand co-acting with said links for limiting the:inward and outward movement of said platform relative tosaid table frame.

KENNETH G. PALMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' U I ED STA ES PATENTS 

